"We have even disconnected the electricity supply to powerful and influential persons and recovered the defaulted amount which demonstrates the government resolve to improve the institutions like Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Distributions Companies (DICOS) for the benefit of the people of the country", he said while addressing the concluding session of an Energy conference here afternoon.
"This has also helped restore the confidence of the people on the government against powerful electricity defaulters", he remarked.
The Conference on DISCOS Board of Governors and Chief Executives was organized by Planning Commission of the Government.
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and senior officials of the eight (8) DISCOS also attended the meeting.
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr.Nadeem ul Haq also spoke on the occasion.
The morning session was inaugurated by Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar.
Dr.Hafeez Shaikh said that reforms initiated by the government in the energy sector was aimed at providing relief to the commonman and enhance the efficiency and performance of the sector in the country.
He called upon the WAPDA and DISCOS authorities to improve their efficiency and performance so the consumers specially the poor segment of the society would get relief.
The Finance Minister also resolve the commitment of the government to tax wealthy people so that resources should be generated for the infrastructure development including in power sector for the socio economic prosperity of the country.
He said that government during past four years has provided Rs.1 trillion for provision of subsidy in the power sector.
"Had we sent this huge amount in power generation projects, the people should have benefitted in getting enough power supply across the country", he remarked.
Dr.Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that present regime inherited a sluggish economy from previous government in 2008 as the Current Account deficit was at 8.5 percent of the GDP while Fiscal deficit was at 7.5 percent with high inflation of 25 percent while the foreign exchange reserves were fast depleting in the country.
This poor economic situation, he said forced the government to go to International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support of fiscal balance.
However, he added that due to prudent fiscal and economic policies of the government the economy has now on the right track.
He said government was focusing on the strengthening of power sector institutions by appointing professionals as Chief Executives of DISCOS in order to improve the operational performance of these institutions and promote good corporate governance and efficient management system.
He said that power sector employees were very important force and called upon them to perform as team work with their respective authorities for their own benefit and prosperity of the country.
"If the financial health of the power sector institutions would improve their financial benefits would also be enhanced", he remarked.
The Finance Minister on the occasion assured the participants of the conference that government would support them through reforms and good policies for the benefit of the country.
Dr.Hafeez Shaikh appreciated Dr.Nadeem ul Haq and their team for organizing this conference of national importance.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Nadeen ul Haq highlighted the aims and objectives of the conference.
He expressed the hope that this conference would help the CEOs and Board members of the power sector to share their ideas and experiences and highlight issues facing the power sector companies in the country.
The DISCOS and its board of directors presented their development plans for the elimination of power crisis in the country.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011